Astros place Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and Clint Barmes on waivers

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The Astros placed starting pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers and shortstop Clint Barmes on waivers, according to a person with knowledge of the moves.

While all are on the active roster and might be for years to come in the cases of the pitchers, who have multiyear deals, the asking of trade waivers began a process by which the Astros’ rebuilding process could continue even though the July 31 non-waiver deadline has passed.

All three players were placed on waivers Friday and if no team claims them within two business days — into Tuesday — the Astros are free to trade the players.

If a player is claimed, the Astros may work out a trade with only that team. They also may simply hand the contract to the claiming team for the $20,000 claim price. Or they can pull the player from waivers with no second chance to put him through this type of waiver.

If he is claimed by multiple teams, the priority for which team is awarded the claim begins with the one with the worst record in the National League (excluding the Astros, of course) and goes in ascending order within the NL before going to the worst American League team and upward through the AL standings.

General manager Ed Wade had no comment other than to say thatthe Astros run all of their players through waivers over the course of August. Because the players can be pulled back once without penalty, there is no reason to keep even the most “untouchable” players from the waiver process.

“We ask waivers on everybody on the roster,” Wade said. “There’s no downside to it. It’s a matter of course that we follow.

“We’ve had several players claimed on waivers so far in this period, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a few more.”

Whether any or all of the players are claimed, there will be opportunities to continue the process begun back in July as the roster is shredded and rebuilt.

In trading Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn, the Astros committed to removing salary from future rosters, which will be under the oversight of prospective new owner Jim Crane, whose approval vote is being delayed for more background checking.

To trade Rodriguez, 32, and/or Myers, 31, would be to slash the future commitments more.

Rodriguez has the largest contract of the three beyond this season, as he is owed $10 million in 2012 and $13 million in 2013, plus a complex option that would become a $13 million player option for 2014 if the contract is moved.

Myers is owed $11 million next season and has a $10 million vesting option for 2013, which if it does not vest, would be a club option with a $3 million buyout.

Barmes, 32, has exhausted his pre-free-agency arbitration years and can be a free agent at the end of the season.